Remodelers' Guide to Lead Paint

Take precautions to avoid exposing your crew and your clients to lead poisoning on the job

Lead paint has garnered lots of media attention in
recent years, and there are valid reasons for the
concern. Not only can lead poison children, but it
can also poison adults — namely, your crew and your
clients. Common symptoms of lead poisoning
include loss of appetite, stomach cramps, nausea,
constipation, decreased sex drive, difficulty sleeping,
moodiness, headache, joint and muscle aches, even
anemia. Sound like the end of a rough day at work?
If it's due to exposure to lead, a good night's sleep
won't cure it.
How Big a Hazard?
Lead used to be added to paint to make the pigments
brighter and more durable. By 1978, dangerous
lead levels were banned